Fastest Guitarist Ever

The Top Ten

1Synyster GatesBrian Elwin Haner, Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Avenged Sevenfold.

I though he is the fastest guitarist ever. But when I saw some other unpopular guitarists keep breaking the records then I realize that a lot of these guitarists aren't even close to them. Of course there are many ways to measure the speed of guitar. But Synyster Gates will probably fail in it. - zxm

His solos are rapid now, so just imagine what they will be like in another ten years. I doubt it will be so debatable then, when he plays Sudden death, blindfolded.

Synyster Gates has talent for playing what he feels in his own way, no matter the type of music. His solos are extremely fast and he knows what he's playing. If someone put a blindfold on him, he could play his solos the same way.

The sound when he plays is just a wonderful sound. He plays fast, he plays slow but it's always great and amazing. It's a nice guitarist.

V 52 Comments

2Herman LiHerman Li is a Hong Kong-born, British Chinese musician, record producer, and lead guitarist for the British Power-Metal band Dragonforce.

How can someone even describe what he does with a guitar? its just out of this world!

Who ever voted for number 1 provably never heard of DRAGONFORCE.

WHAT! FOURTH PLACE! Herman li is the fastest guitar player ever. Nobody can mimic what he does, nobody can do his solos are you people that dumb I mean no offense but listen to Fury of the Storm and Through the Fire and Flames. This is a truly amazing man.

Not Best, Okay not the best.. But surely the fastest.. Listen to their new song Dragonforce - Fallen World.. I bet no-one can cover it 100% and don't tell me that they fast their song on studio because' I have seen them LIVE... And they erupted the stage.. Surely needs to be higher OR surely I think he is #1.. - swikarlp

V 68 Comments

3BucketheadBrian Patrick Carroll, known professionally as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has worked within many genres of music.

Not exactly 100mph but is emotional with his guitar not just mindlessly wiping his finger's on the fretboard

MY favorite guitarist

Easily Buckethead

This is not a vote on who is best. This is a vote on who is fastest. Quantitative data has no place for preference. You can't change the results because you don't like them. Buckethead is the fastest guitar player. There are faster pickers, but for overall speed in all aspects, nobody matches Bucky. Some come close, but ultimately fall a little short of this title.

V 38 Comments

4Michael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is an American heavy metal guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois.

Why the hell is Synyster Gates before MAB?This list in called "Fastest Guitarist Ever", not "Most Overrated Guitarist Ever"... the shredding majesty of Michael Angelo can't be compared to the overrated guitar playing of Synyster. A7X is not a bad band, but they are REALLY OVERRATED! - rock2metal

I am a guitar player,and have been shredding since I was a kid (almost 50 now...). ALL these guitar players ARE outstanding, and worthy of being on this list. BUT, to pick 1 top of all time (which I do not like doing, for I love and appreciate all players and styles..), Michael Angelo Batio IS the king of all shred, and teaching shred. His speed, accuracy, and knowledge of theory, and teaching is unmatched. If you review his career, its main focus is always raising the bar on ability, AND lifting up everyone else in the guitar community as well. He only gives everyone praise, and always teaches everything he knows. He is a blessing to the guitar world. Period.

he is the best and no one can take his place on playing lightining fast he is my favourite. and I am a guitarist too...

I am a huge fan of synyster gates but seriously he does not hold a candle to MAB... Batio could play faster than gates upside down or with his opposite hand. If you don't believe that then apparently you've never seen any videos of him playing. On that note I'm willing to bet he could play two guitars at the same time faster than some of the people on this list could play one!

V 41 Comments

5Eddie Van HalenEdward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American musician, songwriter and producer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, occasional keyboardist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen.

I play guitar. Trust me when I say there I no one else. When you talk about speed, meaning from a more professional standpoint, is how fast your fingers are moving, and Eddie takes the cake. But all of you who don't play guitar do not understand that I am the fastest guitar player ever... If I pick the same 2 chords over and over and over again at 900 beats per minute, which is entirely possible. Fast is defined by movement, not note lengths or space between notes. So as a result, 99 percent of these guitarists do not measure up. Eddie is the best out there

Without Eddie, would we have all of the other shredders? And what is slash doing on here, and Synyster Gates? Where is Satriani, Vai, Rhoads, KERRY KING? - gibsonrock53

Eddie deserves to be first man. HE popularized two hand tapping method on a six-string guitar, with his song "Eruption" off the album Van Halen. He created a following trend of tapping guitarists like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. He is the GOD

You know, once Eddie did his Eruption solo and after that Yngwie Malmsteen did the same solo with his guitar behind his back.

V 7 Comments

6Yngwie MalmsteenYngwie Johan Malmsteen is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter and bandleader who was born on June 30th, 1963, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was known for his neoclassical metal playing style back in the 1980s.

Been listening Yngwie since 1983 and he's in a league of his own and always will be. A master at his craft and a misunderstood Man of Shred.

People who voted for this list are not guitar players. When it comes to speed, no one even competes against Yngwie

Syn is fast, but this guy is the ultimate speed king. - MattAffterburner

Simply the best!

V 37 Comments

7SlashSaul Hudson, known professionally as Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

I absolutely love Slash as a guitarist, but he is definitely not done of the fastest. I agree he has got great speed, but he is not near Synyster Gates or Buckethead or Yngwie Malmsteen. He definitely deserves a very high spot on the greatest overall guitarists list.

I know, Slash has more of melody than the speed in his music, still Slash has evolved a lot since Guns 'N Roses. For his speed samples try new "Godfather intro to Sweet Child O mine" its Blitz Krieg...

Slash must be at second step because other's are running after guitar speed they are forgetting one thing which is called music. "yeah slash plays slowly but he plays a really cool musics which is ever played"

V 15 Comments

8Steve VaiSteven Siro "Steve" Vai is an American guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer, born and raised on Long Island, New York.

STEVE VAI ON NUMBER 8!?!?!?

Steve Vai on nummer 8!?!

?!?!?!?

Not as fast s dragonforce or john 5 but still plays fast when he wants toHe could be the 5th or 4th I predict - jckiller

This is horrible! Why is he down here. I can'tBelieve synster gates is number 1. I would put viaUp against synster on his worst day.

V 1 Comment

9Sam Totman

Everybody disses the guy because he plays behind Herman Li but he is a very fast and accurate rhythm guitar player. Saw Dragonforce live in Osaka in 2004 and he was very good in Valley of the Damned!

this guy is right along side herman li

He is right behind herman li in speed which means he is the second fastest and herman li is first

He should be in second place write behind where Herman li should be

V 3 Comments

10Ilan Ashkenazi

Ash is the definition of a child prodigy..I know him well and he lives to play guitar

HE IS NOT HUMAN Just listen to Master! - 7stringshred

This freak of nature has the most perfect tech and is one of if not The fastest guitar player I've heard.

I have known Ilan for many years. His methodical and articulate playing is outstanding. He inspires the mind and music with his accomplished playing.

V 7 Comments

The Contenders

11Randy RhoadsRandall William "Randy" Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. He was killed in a plane crash.

He wasn't just blindingly fast, he was melodic too. His solos were just as much speed as they were emotion. He was simply the best at what he did. Along with Jason Becker, Dimebag Darrell, and SRV, one of the biggest losses in the history of rock/metal guitar. And to those who compare him to Eddie Van Halen: look up his solo on laughing gas with Quiet Riot.

This dudes awesome and super fast, definitely not the fastest but should be up there a little more, at least number 12-10, I agree that synster is the fastest and should be but this guys should be a little higher up

12Jimmy PageJames Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin.

He's fast. Maybe not quite as fast as some of the others on this list, but keep in mind that many techniques hadn't yet been invented in the 70's

Jimmy Page is not really fast. His solos are somehow fast, but not really the fastest. And his riffs are mostly slow. Because he created heavy riffs (not talking about metal). And for heavy riffs, you have to strum your guitar slowly. So he is not very fast. - zxm

What do you mean he's the tenth fastest guitarist ever? Go listen to something like Heartbreaker or dazed and confused, or even you shook me. He plays blazingly fast! Few people know this, but van halen got his famous tapping technique that gives him his speed from watching jimmy page play Heartbreaker live! You people don't know true talent.

Are you kidding me 9th, go watch the heartbreaker solo live

V 4 Comments

13Alexi Wildchild Lahio

His Solos Kills all.. Who can Growl & Play Guitar So Perfectly Live? One of the Best front mans Ever. No need to be Top in This List.. Who Knows how Wild his Playing Skill is Vote for Him..

Alexi is amazingWith solos such as in-angels don't kill-are you dead yet-bodom beach terror-sixpounder-children of decadence-triple corpse hammerblowAlexi thank you for amazing music

Some death metal here and this guy knows how to thrash like hell so a mix of death metal and thrash is just awesome - jckiller

this guy is totally insane with a great fingering skills and so powerful deathcore vocal... he is THE MIRACLE MAN... a living legend...

V 5 Comments

14John 5

John 5 should replace slash because you just can't compare these compare slash's fastest song with Black Widow of La Porte or better yet Soul Of a Robot and you will c that slash doesn't even come close. Slash will destroy his hands trying to play Black widow! Has the internet gone mad?!

There's a huge difference when comes to Speed and Technique. While I agree Petrucci, Jimmy Page and Steve Vai are guitarists way better than John 5, none of them can beat this man when talking of speed. And please. Synyster Gates 1st place? John 5 does what that guy does while he's sleeping... Just nonsense... Listen to Soul of a Robot and Black Widow of La Porte, then you'll see what speed really means.

Super fast and great sounding solo's, he's speed is incredible, and he is super composed whilst playing as well just to top it off.

Great player... New to a lot of people.. Fast no doubt... Can do it all

V 3 Comments

15John PetrucciJohn Peter Petrucci is an American guitarist, composer and producer. He is best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Compared to his level of skill, John Petrucci is relatively unknown in the modern music industry.

John Petrucci is a god among men and why he is only number 10 we shall never know. Synyster Gates has nothing on him. Just listen to the Stream Of Consciousness solo at about 3 minutes in, he reaches 38 notes per second, let's just let that sink in 38 NOTES PER SECOND! Tell me that is not fast...

Why is God number 10?

I Really like Dream Theater because of there tempo's and timing's. They have great musicianship. I also like synyster's playing but John has got to be before him he's just better and more technical.

Petrucci's speed and CLARITY is inhuman. Check out the solo in "As I Am" by Dream Theater. It's unreal how precise he plays those wicked-fast arpeggios.

V 18 Comments

16Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter . Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated ...read more.

There are live versions that surpass the fastest jazz guitarists I have ever heard. Two examples: L A Forum I Don't Live Today 04-26-69 toward the end of the song, and about 60 percent the way through Woodstock Instrumental Improvisation. Many other examples, and he does almost every guitar style- very well.

WHAT! Jimi Hendrix 16 place this man is so good he can play the guitar whith his teeth and tongue

17Paul GilbertPaul Brandon Gilbert is an American hard rock/heavy metal guitarist. He is best known for being the co-founder of the band Mr. Big. He was also a member of Racer X, with whom he released several albums.

If you are talking pure speed then Paul Gilbert is the fastest.

You know, paul gilbert is the fast, and he also can play with stretchy fingers quickly. - herianforce

Paul had an endorsement from Makita (who make battery powered drills) back in the day for the song where he uses one with three picks stuck in a wooden dowel. Nobody can pick as fast as a drill so he wins. In my opinion.

18Kirk HammettKirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and songwriter for the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus.

He made pretty fast solos. - Userguy44

You're telling me Slash is faster than kirk? what?

24? You must be kidding me listen to "One" "Master Of Puppets" "Wherever I May Roam" "Battery" then come vote

Why is Kirk Hammett so underrated on fastest guitar lists? He may not be THE fastest guitarist ever but he's up there... For me his is at least top five. I'm fine with Syn at 1, though

V 5 Comments

19Joe SatrianiJoseph Satriani (born July 15, 1956) is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, with many of his former students achieving fame, such as Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Rick Hunolt, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie ...read more.

would have voted buckethead or batio, but he deserves to be higher. One of the best guitarists ever and without him, there would be no Kirk Hamett, Steve Vai or Tom Morello! He also taught Kevin Cadogan, Larry Lalonde and Charlie Hunter! And in these cases, all these students (including Kirk himself) never passed the master! - AymanKabir

He can play the fastest if he wants, he just has the clarity and soul.

He is arguably the best humanity has ever produced.

Teacher of the all the masters mentioned above. He can play any speed,but most of the time he prefer melody.

20Brian MayBrian Harold May is an English musician, singer, songwriter and astrophysicist, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen.

Go and listen to Brighton Rock live at Hammersmith, 1975. For a couple of bars he is playing with 10 notes per second. One vision tapping plays 12 notes per second. Far from world record, but I challenge you to find faster playing in the classic rock era: Clapton, Hendrix, Page...

Highly underrated; Comes, because Brian always plays what's best for the song, not what's best for his ego (like so many other guitar masturbators on this list); He MAY not be the fastest, but he CAN do pretty fast... Still that, fastness, - to me - is not a criterion for quality... ;-)

Listen to Dead on Time, Gimme the Prize intro and the solo of Princes of the Universe.

all the music that's not lyrics and not keeping the beat in Queen comes out of one dude with a guitar. - Queen-aholic

Chris is definitely the fastest...I have watched every guitarist mentioned here and the clear answer is Chris Impellitteri.

The list says fastest. Without question Chris is the fastest of the choices offered. Check out Empire Of Lies. Says it all!

Finally, Chris Impellitteri ended the speed war!

22Michael AmottMichael Amott is a British-born Swedish guitarist, songwriter, founding member of the bands Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars, and Carnage, as well as a former member of the grindcore band Carcass.

23Jason BeckerJason Eli Becker (born July 22, 1969) is an American neoclassical metal guitarist and composer. At the age of 16, he became part of the Shrapnel Records-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released the albums Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988. Cacophony broke up ...read more.

Faster than Yngwie, Batio, Gate etc. Speed was never his priority but he chould play faster than all guitar player above. Just listen to his live solo with cacophony - Wahmmett

Better than all! Not Dead Yet.

I am 12 years old, I can play synyster gates solos, Michael Angelo Batio solos, and a little yngwie, but I can't top Jason in speed or melody he can play over 20 notes per second, if that tells you anything. Listen to Altitudes or Mables Fatel Fable and you'll see what I mean.

Best, greatest and fastest guitar player of all time.The real master of the fretboard.

V 1 Comment

24Shawn LaneShawn Lane was an American musician who released two studio albums and collaborated with a variety of musicians including Ringo Starr, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Reggie Young, Joe Walsh, Jonas Hellborg and many others.

Not just fast, ultra-fast and clean. He's a lot more unknown that the others here & that's too bad, because he (like his friend Buckethead) simply over matches the instrument. He never liked to showcase his speed, deferring to substance, tone and expression. But ever since I saw him bring down the house in Munich, Germany one night with an awesome display of speed, I'd say Shawn belongs in the top 2; no disrespect to the other talented guitarists here. Shawn Lane may not be as well known, but I'd invite guitarists everywhere to listen to his unique style.

All you need is one video of Shawn Lane and your mind will be blown. I have watched videos of many other fast guitar players, but as soon as I saw Lane, there really is no question. There has been no one else who has mastered the speed and technicality the same as him. The most impressive feature is that the solos are ridiculously clean.

After playing guitar through much of my teenage years, and then working live sound and concert production through my 20's into my 30's, I've literally seen thousands of guitarists live. I've seen and/or worked all of the greats (Yngwie, Vai, Satch, Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Buddy Guy, BB King, Tosin...). No one, and I mean no one, can do what Shawn Lane did. There is absolutely no question who the greatest guitarist in the 30 years is. It's Shawn Lane.

Shawn Lane all the way. Many articles about his unmatched uncanny speed. This list makes me laugh. It seems like the voters are young teenagers who don't really know what they're talking about. lol!

V 9 Comments

25Richie SamboraRichard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter who was the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi for 30 years. He is known for his work with Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He is a very praised guitarist who played solos for songs like Dry County, Stranger ...read more.

Since I saw richie playing his 3 necked guitar I'm so amazed. that song is wanted dead or alive.

great guy! very fast player - richie4life

Brilliant Man, so inspirational and beautiful! Just listen to the second solo on dry county! So amazing. Richie deserves all the love he gets ❤️❤️🎸🎸 - DaringXx

26Eric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos.

Just listen to Classical Gas!

27Marty FriedmanMartin Adam "Marty" Friedman is an American guitarist, known for his tenure as the lead guitarist for heavy metal band Megadeth which spanned nearly the full decade of the 1990s, as well as Cacophony alongside Jason Becker until 1989. Friedman has resided in Tokyo, Japan since 2003, where he has hosted ...read more.

He is the fastest and most complex guitarist that anyone could ever find in the genre of thrash metal, and probably the greatest Jewish guitarist. To be on par with Mustane is a challenge in itself, but to actually make great contributions to the Megadeth sound was something exceptional he did very well.

He and mustaine should be way above Kirk Hammett!

What he's such a legend

28Chuck NorrisCarlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist, actor, film producer and screenwriter. He was born in March 10, 1940, in Ryan, OK. He is famous for mostly starring in western and action movies.

"The Octagon" is not only a Chuck movie, but it is also his own method of playing chords. His Octagon rhythm playing alone shreds every lead player on this list.

Chuck Norris can shred with a paper shredder

Chuck Norris teached Dream Theater. Chuck Norris plays the guitar without touching any cords, he only warns the guitar that it must sound without objections.

WHAT THE FIGHTING ACTOR CHUCK NORRIS?

V 1 Comment

29Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal

He is a very fast guitarist. Especially his solos. Actually it was his speed which helped him to create metal music and bring heavy metal to this country. - zxm

Identifying his solos are very easy. Fast tapping, licks. His 2 minutes solo would be almost 8-10 minutes long if played slowly. Its very hard to cover his solos. - zxm

Look at him go at cancer. And all other songs he played. Only one word comes out. Awesome

Just listen to Warfaze. Honestly speaking -- he deserves much better position.

V 9 Comments

30Sergiy Putyatov

Ha ha, no matter what you say that he is the fastest guitarist or she is the fastest guitarist. It's a subjective thing. this guy played 27 NOTES PER SECOND. - zxm

Good that he came on top 35. he should be higher. - zxm

31David GilmourDavid Jon Gilmour is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined the progressive rock band Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1968.

32Nuno BettencourtNuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt is a Portuguese-American guitarist, singer-songwriter, and record producer. He became known as the lead guitarist of the Boston rock band Extreme.

So underrated!

Nuno may not be as fast as Jason Becker or Yngwie Malmsteen, but had to vote because his melodies are great, the again so are Jason's and Yngwie's. by the way synyster gates suck's, he can't come up with a good melody in his life and not the fastest guitarist ever. Michael Angelo Batio win with speed all the way, and I don't mind listening to some ''No Boundaries".

33Alvin LeeAlvin Lee was an English singer and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist and lead guitarist of the blues rock band Ten Years After.

Simply the fastest while still keeping the inflection!

He got it done.RIPAmen.

Saw Alvin with 10 years after in 1970, awesome!

Too young to know who he is? Was considered the fastest of the 70's and 80's. Maybe not as clean as Page, Clapton, Knopfler and the rest, but he deserves to be up there way ahead of many on the list.

V 6 Comments

34Johnny RamoneJohn William Cummings, better known by his stage name Johnny Ramone, was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being the guitarist for the punk rock band the Ramones.

All right, he is not a lead guitarist. Not that much. But he has speed. A lot good guitarists can't strum like him - zxm

According to Ed Stasium, "Johnny makes it sound simple, but I can't do it, and I bet Eddie Van Halen can't. Not for an hour! " - zxm

35John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlin, also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer.

So fast, yet so precise.

Can tell you exactly which notes he is playing or leaving out and can play them backwards if he wants to.

McLaughlin hands down. I mean, Jimmy Page and Slash? Seriously?

Saw him live in the early 70s with the orchestra and the accuracy was amazing!

36Syu (Galneryus, aushvitz)

How is he so low in this ranking.

Come on, Synyster at first? He barely plays clean speed arpeggios nor does his sweeps are any better.

I think syu is so underrated, only because he is not that famous...I hope some day he get recognized by all, I like that he is not a presumptuous person like other famous people are...He just kick ass!

Fact : More than 60% of the people voting here haven't heard to Galneryus.

V 1 Comment

37Joe Perry

38Mark TremontiMark Thomas Tremonti is an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge.

He is one of the fastest of all time at least top 30

Can't believe this guy is not on the list?

That picking speed though

This guy deserve in top 10

V 1 Comment

39Dimebag DarrellDarrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of two bands, Pantera and Damageplan, alongside his brother, Vinnie Paul. Abbott died in 2004 after he was shot by a mentally unstable fan.

Just listen to cowboys from hell

He was fast look at domination and cemetery gates solo he should be top ten

Dime at 37 and Syn at 1. Must be a technical failure.

Nothing to say just love your playing

V 3 Comments

40Dave MustaineDavid Scott "Dave" Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor and author. Mustaine is best known as a pioneer in Thrash Metal, being the former lead guitarist of Metallica before his dismissal in 1983, leading to finding and becoming the front man of his own ...read more.

I lplay guitar and I have listened to hiss fastest solos and know that their is no way anyone can go faster than he can. It is impossible

It's Dave Mustaine

This guy is definitely ending up at the top 4 just listen to this day we fight and holy wars... The punishment due and see how great he is at just playing a guitar a true legend this one - jckiller

Gates can't even compare to Dave when it comesTo speed. Listen to Hangar 18!

V 4 Comments

41Daron MalakianDaron Vartan Malakian is an Armenian–American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer.

Listen to the song Lonely Day and you will understand

42Kerry KingKerry Ray King is an American musician, best known as a guitarist for the American thrash metal band Slayer.

Top 10 angel of death - Morbid_Deth

Really? 44? What is the definition of fast for this poll?

He Should be in the top 10...go n lisyen to angel of death solo...and where the heck is hanneman? He should be in the top 10 too

43Micheal Romeo

I wonder why Michael Romeo is just a contender and I also wonder why the hell Slash got in the top 10... he's too slow compare to Michael Romeo

44Allan HoldsworthAllan Holdsworth was a British guitarist and composer. He released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played a variety of musical styles in a career spanning more than four decades, but is best known for his work in jazz fusion.

Without a doubt. One of the fastest and technical player you'll find!

Timed at 20NPS. Unbelievably fast and clean. His playing is all so smooth and legato that you don't always realize how fast it is.

45Guthrie GovanGuthrie Govan is an English virtuoso guitarist and guitar teacher, known for his work with the bands The Aristocrats, Asia, GPS, The Young Punx and The Fellowship, as well as his solo project Erotic Cakes.

No one can beat him. His legato, sweeps everything is just flawless u can't compare him to anyone.he should be on number 1

46Andy James

No one can beat Andy for speed. Blistering fast and clean... amazing!

Andy James is an incredible musician. Unfortunately he isn't as well known as some of the other guitarists so he will end up being underrated and his skills under appreciated. Definitely worth checking out if you want to see what I'm talking about.

Yeah He's really the best guitarist I've ever seen!

All of those Guitarists in the list are all godsBut were talking about Speed then you must chekced this Guy!

V 1 Comment

47Rusty Cooley

Just listen to "Under the Influence" or "Austrian Death Machine" solo.. He's phenomenal! I have to said that this is quite strange because I found people who voted for Slash, Angus Young, Steve Morse, Joe Satriani.. I mean, I love this guys but simply they're not among the fastest! Moreover I haven't found (yet it's possible they're on the list) Michael Romeo or Chris Broderick.. How is it possible? And please, stop voting for Synyster because I'm tired of kids who overrates him and A7X.. He's good but there's no match with the true shred masters! PS: speed is not an opinion, it's a fact! Want an example? I'm not flaming for Rusty because he's really too fast.. On the other side I love John Petrucci.. Even though JP is a better musician (in my opinion) Rusty is far better from a technically point of view. Don't let mislead you by personal preferences when you vote on this kind of lists..

This is really the fastest!

48Ken Kitamura

faster than slash with the same level as ichiro takigawa - ronluna

49Ray ToroRaymond "Ray" Toro is an American musician who served as lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band My Chemical Romance until their split in 2013.

50Matthew BellamyMatthew James "Matt" Bellamy is an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and compose most famous for being the main vocalist in alternative rock band Muse.